PHOENIX,
State Capitol – Even after the historic United States Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex
marriage in 2015, gay couples still face hurdles at almost every step when it
comes to achieving equality.

However, on Monday the United States Supreme Court
refused to overturn a ruling that says gay couples are entitled to the same
parenting rights as heterosexual

couples when they get divorced. For now, all
marriage unions are considered equal in matters of marriage, divorce and
custody under a 2017 Arizona Supreme Court ruling. The Arizona LGBTQ Caucus
issued the following statement regarding the ruling:

"This is a historic moment in American
history.” said Representative Cesar Chavez,D-Phoenix (District
29). “By refusing to overturn a lower court ruling the Supreme Court reaffirmed
that all parents regardless of gender have the same rights and
responsibilities. All families shall be treated fairly under the law.”

This is a small but crucial step concerning
parenting rights for gay couples and is affecting people across the country, including
people in Arizona.